two words: ginger molasses

Maggie and I whipped up a batch of these babies last night. These cookies are one of my top 5 favorite cookie recipes and are the epitome of fall to me: ginger molasses. I like this name better than "gingersnaps" because a gingersnap denotes a store-bought-crunchy-not-fresh-taste in my mind. And these cookies are far from that. They are warm, chewy, but not gooey, and have the perfect texture and flavor meld. Plus, this recipe differs from a few others I have seen where others call for baking powder (not soda), white sugar for the brown (I prefer the brown), and no cloves (which I love in this spice medley).

Thanks to my good friend Rachel (baker and chef extraordinaire) for making them for Aron and me 4 years ago on a visit to Chicago; fall has never been the same.

Tell me you feel the same way. Oh, and I'm serving them up at our MOPS group tonight with a side of pumpkin dessert dip (seriously not-healthy, but so tasty especially with these cookies!).

Recipe:

¾ c. shortening

¼ c. molasses

1 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. ground cloves

2 ¼ c. flour

¼ c. sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients through the egg. Beat until well combined. Next, beat in 1 cup of flour at a time. Then, using your hands, add ¼ c. flour as necessary—you don’t want to the tough to be sticky (as you’ll be rolling it into balls), so add a little more flour, feel the consistency, and add enough until the dough does not stick to your fingers. You may add a little more or a little less than ¼ cup depending on how if feels.

Shape into 1-inch balls and roll into granulated sugar to coat. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are set and tops are starting to crack (in my oven it’s usually around 8 minutes). Enjoy!

hosting friends over "pick your own dinnerware" taco soup

Most of our friends do not come from the same group and this is something, ongoingly, that I lament. I long to have a half dozen couple friends who all hang out, all the time. But for now, I am thankful for what I *do* have. And over the last few weeks, I've realized that some of my loneliness stems from this fact and thus, have tried to set up dinner dates with these friends.

One of my favorite memories of childhood were the nights my mom implemented "pick your own dinnerware." My sister and I had a blast scouring the kitchen for unusual item might hold our meal: a mixing bowl? a juice glass? a serving platter? a cookie sheet? And of course, what utensil(s) we might use to eat our meal: a ladle? a giant serving spoon? a spatula? measuring spoons? We were giddy with excitement for over this one, simple pleasure. Kids are so easily pleased.

I've started this with my own family and I do find it works best with a soup-like meal. My meal of choice has been a taco soup in the crock-pot: 2-3 uncooked chicken breasts, 2 cans of corn, 2 jars of your favorite salsa, and 2 cans black beans. Cook on high for 3 1/2-4 hours, shred chicken and put back in crock-pot, then serve. Top with chips, tomatoes, cheese, greens, and sour cream. So good, healthy, and EASY.

Our friends Jason and Lindsey (who is starting a photography business, including newborn and birth photography; she's so talented!) joined us and rocked silly serving bowls (a star, anyone?), spatulas, and salad tongs. Another night our friends TJ and Jessie joined us and my crazy husband ate his meal out of a teapot. Maggie found it hilarious.

Try it one night, I promise for an entertaining family meal.

rustic chocolate pie

Does the name of this dessert catch your attention? It did mine. My mom sends me recipes from time to time and I filed this one away until the perfect opp arose.

I served it tonight and it was *delish.* With some decaf coffee and good friends, who wouldn't love it? It has now become a staple dessert for company. Now, go make yourself some (recipe here).

Thunder Cake

We awoke to thunder and lightening and rain yesterday morning and as soon as Maggie came downstairs, she declared, "I want to make Thunder Cake." How does a mom refuse that?

Either I found this book at a garage sale or my mom sent it to us. Regardless, it's a wonderful story about a little girl and her Russian grandma. A storm is brewing on the horizon and the little girl is scared. Her Grandma teaches her how to make "Thunder Cake" and takes her mind off the weather. When the storm finally hits, they sit down to a delicious treat. And you are reading that right: there are tomatoes in it! The secret ingredient. And I'd make it again.

It was a perfect treat on a wet and stormy day!

chicken

I really hate to handle raw chicken. And it's not just a pregnancy thing.

Am I the only one?!

I actually *semi-dread* cooking it if it's on the menu that night. I mean, I think about it throughout the day and just wish it would somehow cook itself. My friend Kathryn is a cooking queen and says it's important to pound chicken breasts before cooking them because it not only tenderizes them, but also helps them cook more evenly. So, I now pound them before I cook them. An additional touching-the-chicken step in the cooking process, and I get why it's beneficial, but still dislike the extra time I have to touch them.

Yet, when said chicken dish is cooked and plated, it's good and healthy and I'm glad I made it.

Probably my favorite chicken recipe is Ina Garten's Parmesan Chicken. It's so easy and has a good flavor and the chicken is usually really moist. Served up like the picture with greens and a light citrus dressing on top is perfect. Maybe that's my problem. I don't have dozens of chicken recipes I like. So, I'm in need of new recipes. Please, share!

Randomness, I know.

new cookbook

Because I love Trader Joe's and cooking (most of the time), I had to purchase this cookbook at the rec of my friend Casey. Just a few that are already catching my eye:

*Maui Beef on Coconut Rice with Macadamia Nuts and Basil
*Flat Tire Flammade
*Bourbon Balsamic Beef
*One-Pot Pesto Pasta, Potatoes, and Green Beans (with goat cheese)
*Sassy Peach Sweet Potatoes
*Silky, Sinful Chocolate Tart
*Almond-Agave Baby Cakes

this one's for you, Tina!

My good friend Tina passed along this recipe several months ago and it's been in my "Recipes and Nutrition" folder in my Gmail for that long. Tina is a self-proclaimed health nut and loves to cook and make good tasting snacks for her kids. I love picking her brain for new food ideas. I've meant to make these "Chocolate Earth Balls" for a number of months and now that I'm finally feeling better, I set the recipe aside to make this week with Mags. After a fun visit to the park with Lindsey and Shelby today, we got to work. These were very easy and very tasty. Even my skeptical husband liked them, which is saying alot! You can obviously omit any ingredients you don't care for. I even think the basic pb/honey/cocoa powder ball would be totally yummy!

Chocolate Earth Balls (courtesy of Tina and Whole Foods Market Cookbook)

1 c. peanut butter
1/3 c. honey (I used Agave Nectar and it tasted wonderful)
2 tsp. carob powder or unsweetened cocoa powder (I used the latter; I do not like carob!)
1/2 c. raisins (I omitted)
3/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1/4 c. finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc)

Mix the peanut butter, honey, and carob or cocoa powder until well combined. Stir in raisins if using and 2 Tbs. of the coconut. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate 1-2 hours. Then, place remaining coconut, sesame seeds, and coconut in 3 separate bowls. Rolls pb mixture into small balls, then roll in each of the bowls. Arrange on a plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and put in freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up. Enjoy!

Licking the bowl!
Yes, brother got a few spoonfuls, too!